CENTER HARBOR — Peter A. Michaud, 56, died on February 3, 2013 at his home surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with cancer.Son of Neil and Patricia (Pelletier) Michaud, he was born in Bangor, ME on December 15, 1956. Peter grew up in South Portland, ME, graduating from Cheverus High School in Portland. He received a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from St. Anselm College, Manchester, NH and a Masters in Criminal Justice Administration from Northeastern University, Boston, MA in 1980.Peter had more than 30 years of service devoted to the State of New Hampshire, the last 15 years as Victim Services Administrator with the NH Department of Correction, leading efforts to advocate for the rights and needs for crime victims throughout NH and the rest of the country. He co-founded the National Association of Victim Service Professionals in Corrections and built the Association's website to facilitate communications among all corrections-based victim assistance programs nationally. Previously he worked as a Probation Officer/Supervisor for NH Department of Probation, Laconia District Court and NH Department of Health and Human Services.His community involvement included time as a coach with Lakes Region Youth Baseball League, Treasurer for Boy Scouts Troop 55, a member of the Long Range Planning Committee for the Nichols Memorial Library and Trustee of the Trust Fund for the town of Center Harbor. He was a former member of the Board of Directors for the NH Coalition against Domestic and Sexual Violence and the Belknap County Citizens Council on Children and Families. For eight years he volunteered with New Beginnings, a women's crisis center in Laconia, NH. A longtime member of Center Harbor Congregational Church, his volunteerism included Moderator, Deacon, Long Range Planning Committee, Scholarship Trust Fund Committee and Church School teacher.Peter's greatest love was his family. He was a loving, generous, and dedicated husband and father. He adored music, always humming a tune; music followed him throughout his life. Peter loved his home, the nature that surrounds it, and the pond in the backyard. He spent many summer days kayaking, watching wildlife with Robin, riding his John Deere tractor, and puttering in the garage. Peter's life was filled with humor, gentleness, and kindness. His outlook truly mirrored Monty Python's 1979 "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life." Peter leaves us now to look on the bright side.He will be dearly missed by his family including his college sweetheart and wife of 32 years, Robin (Cook) Michaud; son, Gregory Michaud and his fiancée, Amanda Spooner of Northfield, NH and daughter Katelyn Michaud of Portland, ME and her significant other, Benjamin Pearson. Besides his parents, Peter is survived by five siblings and their families, Thomas Michaud, Foreston, MN; Stephen Michaud, North Berwick, ME; Matthew Michaud, South Portland, ME; Margaret Gaudet, Manchester, NH; and Mary K. Michaud, Gilford, NH. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.Services: Visiting hours 4 to 8 pm on Thursday, February 7th at the Mayhew Funeral Home, 204 Daniel Webster Hwy, Meredith, NH 03253. Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, February 8th at Center Harbor Congregational Church, 52 Main St., Center Harbor, NH 03226.In lieu of flowers, donations in Peter's memory may be made to NH Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, PO Box 353, Concord, NH 03302 or Center Harbor Congregational Church, PO Box 229, Center Harbor, NH 03226.To sign Peter's Book of Memories, please go to www.mayhewfuneralhomes.com